Stopping the sale of flavored cigarettes

To the Editor:

Mandarin Mint, Bayou Blast, and Twista Lime. These sound like new drink flavors for kids, but although they are for kids, they're not beverages. They're Camel Exotic Blend cigarettes from R.J. Reynolds Tobacco (RJR.)

The intent is obvious. "Cigarette makers are targeting young smokers with candy and liqueur-flavored new brands that mask the harsh and toxic properties... in tobacco smoke," the Harvard School of Public Health reported last November.

The Harvard report quotes a 1993 industry memo proposing that a "growing interest in new flavor sensations among younger adult consumers..." signals "new opportunities" for brand-building.

In June 2005 the NYS Assembly responded with a bill prohibiting sales of flavored cigarettes. When the bill stalled in the Senate last year, the Tompkins County legislature passed a resolution urging the state legislature to support youth by re-introducing the legislation and enacting a statewide ban on selling flavored cigarettes.

Now, thanks to actions at the local, state and national level, including the resolution from Tompkins County's legislators in 2005, we can celebrate a New York-led settlement between RJR and attorneys general from 39 states establishing a nationwide ban on the sale and marketing of flavored cigarettes.

It seems incredible that, despite years of settlements and court directives, we must continue to confront tobacco industry efforts to secure "replacement" customers by selling tobacco to children. Yet this is the case. Fortunately our communities and elected officials have not become blind to the industry's techniques, and stand tall for a healthier future. For more information visit www.tompkins-co.org/tobaccofree.

Ted Schiele
Coordinator, Tobacco Free Tompkins
Tompkins County Health Department

This letter was submitted to the Ithaca Jounal on Oct 25 06 and published on Nov 9 06.